10 x more than all other sources

Wood heating puts out a whopping 100,000 kg of these dangerous PAHs a year. All other human sources combined (including transportation, manufacturing, oil, gas and mineral industries, waste incineration, energy production) put out a total of 10,000 kg of PAHs. This is 1/10th of the PAHs that wood heating creates!

This means wood heating is responsible for 91% of all of Canada’s human-created PAHs!

The four PAHs measured in Canada and included in this emissions category are:

benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)p),

benzo(b)fluoranthene (B(b)f),

benzo(k)fluoranthene (B(k)f) and

indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (I(1,2,3-cd)p).

Benzo(a)pyrene is a Group I carcinogen. Benzo(b)fluoranthene has been shown to cause lung, liver and skin cancer in animals. Contact with Benzo(k)Fluoranthene can irritate the skin and eyes and, like indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, it may be a carcinogen in humans since it has been shown to cause skin cancer in animals.

Support our work

Support our work

You will be taken to PayPal, a secure site, to submit your financial information.

$Donation Amount:

Select Payment Method

PayPal

Personal Info

First Name *

Last Name

Email Address *

Donation Total:
$20.00

About Us

Breathe Clean Air Comox Valley was started by a group of citizens concerned about the health impacts of wood smoke in the Valley.

Our volunteers are from all three municipalities and other areas of CVRD.

We currently have no external funding to support our work. If you'd like to contribute, please use the "Support Our Work" button at the top of the page. Contributions will be used for copying, advertising, room rental and other expenses consistent with our vision.

Our Vision

All residents are be able to breathe clean air, in the Valley and in our neighbourhoods.

Comox Valley is celebrated for the cleanest air on Vancouver Island.

Contact Us

If you'd like to get involved, or have any questions to ask or photos to share, please contact us.